shotting: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal/Slang (in extended meaning), Sport/Outdoor (in core meaning)
Quick answer
What does “shotting” mean?
The activity or sport of shooting game birds or clay pigeons, especially using a shotgun.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The activity or sport of shooting game birds or clay pigeons, especially using a shotgun.
The process of shooting repeatedly with a firearm, often in a competitive or recreational context. In specific slang or regional use, it can refer to drug dealing ('shotting' as distributing small wraps).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The core hunting/sporting meaning is more common in UK English, associated with pheasant shooting or grouse shooting. The drug-dealing slang usage is also reported in UK urban contexts. In US English, the term is far less common and primarily heard in very specific sporting circles; 'shooting' is vastly preferred.
Connotations
UK: Can connote rural, upper-class activity (sport) or urban criminality (slang). US: Largely neutral sporting term where used, but rare.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties. Markedly higher in UK than US, but still uncommon compared to 'shooting'.
Grammar
How to Use “shotting” in a Sentence
go + shottingbe + shotting + for + (game)do + some shottingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shotting” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was out shotting pheasants on the estate.
- They spent the afternoon shotting clays.
American English
- He was shotting skeet at the range.
- The group organized a dove shotting trip.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial use.
American English
- No standard adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- He bought a new shotting jacket for the season.
- The shotting grounds were well-maintained.
American English
- He wore his shotting vest.
- They discussed shotting techniques.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, possibly in socio-linguistic papers discussing slang.
Everyday
Rare. In UK, might be heard in rural communities or in news reports about crime.
Technical
Not used in standard technical registers.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shotting”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shotting”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shotting”
- Using 'shotting' as the standard present participle of 'shoot' (incorrect: 'He is shotting a film' -> correct: 'shooting').
- Overusing the term; 'shooting' is almost always the correct choice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Shooting' is the broad, standard term. 'Shotting' is a less common, specific noun referring to the activity of shooting with a shotgun, particularly for sport.
No. The present participle/gerund of 'shoot' is always 'shooting'. 'Shotting' is a separate lexical item.
It is recorded in some specialised slang dictionaries (e.g., Oxford Dictionary of Modern Slang) but is not part of standard English.
For most learners, it is a low-priority, recognition-only word. Understanding it in context (e.g., a UK sporting magazine) is sufficient. Actively using it is not recommended as it is easily misused.
The activity or sport of shooting game birds or clay pigeons, especially using a shotgun.
Shotting is usually informal/slang (in extended meaning), sport/outdoor (in core meaning) in register.
Shotting: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃɒtɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃɑːtɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms specifically with 'shotting'. Related: 'a shot in the dark'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the double 't' in 'shotting' as representing two barrels of a shotgun.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUNTING IS A SPORT (core); DEALING DRUGS IS DISTRIBUTING SHOTS (slang).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'shotting' most appropriately used in standard English?